As the HR-world scrambles to wrap-up calendar year-end events, it is that time of year to reflect back on what we have achieved as professionals and how we have made the work-environment a better place.

[insert random sarcastic punch line here]

Turnover! Turmoil! Mid-term elections! Oh my!

The past twelve months have been as chaotic as the past 36 months. Friends and co-workers are still losing jobs although the recession is over. Unemployment is double what is should be and job growth is inflated by seasonal and temporary jobs. The survivors are fed up and, depending on your survey vendor, up to 70% are actively looking for new jobs. The grass may not be greener, but at least it doesn’t smell like manure…

Most survivors I know have taken on more work for the same pay. Employers are backing to touting employees should be happy they still have a job. Some job candidates have been out of work so long, they are considered unemployable. It is as though they have been infected with some incurable disease (The Walking Dead, perhaps?).

It would be nice to take that moment and reflect on the past year (oxymoron for performance evaluations). However, the survivors are tired and merit increases will be depressed yet again – “Three percent is the new four percent” – or in some cases, non-existent. The survivors want to believe, but the actions of the past twelve months have created an environment of distrust. Short of a written contract, trust may have gone the way of TQM.

Personally, I am holding out hope that 2011 will be different. The retirements are coming (whether we acknowledge it or not); the job boards are flooded; the balance of power is starting to shift back to the worker bees (see the latest voluntary vs. involuntary turnover rates). Companies who prepared for this will strike while the iron is hot and fleece the best of the bunch well ahead of their competitors.

The President will begin his reelection campaign in 2011; shouldn’t you consider doing the same?